V

• Author: Elizabeth Smith/Mark Thompson
• Pages: 326-330

VALENTINO, JOSEPH D.

Associate Justice, New York State

Supreme Court, Appellate Division

Justice, New York State Supreme Court,

Monroe County

Appointment/Election: Elected in 2001;

elected to Rochester City Court, 1983 and

1993; appointed Supervising Judge of the

Criminal Term Courts on February 8, 2011;

appointed Associate Justice, NYS App. Div.

Oct. 1, 2012.

Previous Experience: Associate, Palmiere,

Passero & Crimi, 1972-1974; Assistant

District Attorney, Monroe County, 1974-1982.

Honors and Memberships: Member: New

York State Jury Trial Project; Monroe County

Bar Association; New York State Drug Court

Association; Rochester and District Soccer

League; New York State Jury Trial Project;

Character and Fitness Committee for the

Seventh Judicial District.

Admission: Admitted to New York State

Bar in 1973.

Teaching/Lectures/Publications:

Adjunct Professor, Rochester Institute of

Technology (Criminal Justice).

Education: J.D., St. John’s University,

School of Law, Jamaica, NY; B.A., Niagara

University, Niagara Falls, NY.

Military Experience: U.S. Army Reserves.

Biographical Data: Born November 1,

1946 in New York. Married; four children.

Address: Appellate Division, 4th Dept.

50 East Avenue

Rochester, NY 14604

Phone: (585) 530-3216

E-Mail: jdvalent@courts.state.ny.us

Law Clerk: Valerie Milonas, Esq.

Secretary: Kim DiMaggio

ATTORNEYS’COMMENTS

TEMPERAMENT/DEMEANOR

Interviewees truly appreciate Judge

Valentino’s positive demeanor. They said,

“It’s excellent. He’s very dignified,” “He’s a

very kind and genuine person,” “He’s a very

pleasant man,” “It’s perfect. He’s very calm,”

“It’s marvelous” and “It’s extremely pleasant.”

ON THE BENCH

Judge Valentino has also impressed inter-

viewees with his legal knowledge. They said,

“It’s above average,” “It’s excellent. He’s very

bright,” “He’s highly competent, yet will do

research when it’s necessary,” “It’s excellent”

and “He’s very bright and stays on top of the

law.” Additionally, interviewees said they like

this jurist’s courtroom management style. Two

of them described it as “informal.” Others

opined, “It’s flexible yet always dignified,” “It’s

very efficient—between formal and relaxed”

and “It’s flexible and efficient.” One lawyer dis-

agreed slightly and said, “It’s somewhat formal

but not too strict.” Interviewees seem to appre-

ciate this judge’s polite interactions with

everyone who appears in his courtroom. As

two of them put it, “He’s absolutely polite” and

“He’s always a gentleman.” Every lawyer inter-

viewed also said Judge Valentino respects oth-

ers’ time and takes the bench promptly.

Interviewees seem to feel genuinely at ease in

this judge’s courtroom. Most of them

described its general atmosphere as “comfort-

able.” Others opined, “It’s professional and

comfortable” and “It’s very comfortable—he

has a very easy way about him.”

ONTRIAL

Every interviewee praised Judge Valentino

for listening closely to their arguments and

keeping an open mind. One of them captured

the majority’s sentiments by saying, “He’s

extremely understanding and open-minded.

He absolutely listens closely to your argu-

ments.” Several interviewees praised this

judge’s positive interactions with jurors. Two

of them also addressed how well he responds

to requests for special jury instructions. Both

said he will seriously consider such requests.

However, one of them noted, “But he doesn’t

always grant them.” Most of the interviewees

said Judge Valentino moves cases at an

“appropriate” pace. Other comments included,

“He takes the right amount of time for each

case and won’t rush you” and “[Cases move at

an] average” pace through his courtroom.

SETTLEMENTS

Interviewees seem to appreciate Judge

Valentino’s help in settling their cases. They

said his skills are “excellent” and “very

strong.” Lawyers also said, “He shows good

812 Valentino New York Judge Reviews